Sheet-metal structure for shelves, &amp;c.



'No.721,928.- T PATBNTED MAR.3,1903.-

P. M. WEGB.

SHEET METAL STRUCTURE FOR SHELVES, &o.

AIPLIOATION FILED JUNE 12, 1902.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

PETER M. WEGE, OF NILES, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL FIREPROOF- ING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SHEET-METAL STRUCTURE FOR SHELVES, 84c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 721,928, dated March 3, 1903.

' Application filed June 12, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER M. WEGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niles, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful 5 Improvements in Sheet-Metal Structures for Shelves, &c., of which the following is a specification, accompanied by drawings.

My invention relates to sheet-metal structures more particularly for shelves, bookracks, and the like; and its objects are to simplify and improve upon the construction of book-shelves and make the parts dismountable and interchangeable, while at the same time rendering them strong and durable, with the number of parts which may be broken orlost reduced to a minimum.

Further objects of my invention will hereinafter appear..

My invention consists of means for carrying out the above objects having the generalconstruction substantially as hereinafter fully described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- 4 Figure 1 is an end elevation of a structure embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a shelf made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan View of a portion of a shelf such as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the shelf on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail perspect-ive view of a portion of the side of the shelf.

Referring to the drawings, upon a suitable base A is secured a frame or supporting structure to which shelves may be secured. The frame may be of any suitable construction, but preferably consists of substantially the same sheet-metal structure as that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 111,297, filed July;12, 1902, and entitled Sheet-metal structures for book-racks, wherein vertical columns or partitions D are provided, spaced at intervals in the frame and projecting therefrom on one or both sides of interlocked vertical plates, which form a back B, as desired. These columns are pref- 5o erably hollow and provided with means for a frame or supporting structure comprising a 100 Serial No. 111,298. (No model.)

securing the shelves C thereto, while a-suitable top E may also be secured to the frame. According to my invention the columns are provided with apertures F, suitably spaced therein, while the shelves are provided with fastening means cooperating with said apertures, in this instance the fasteners being shown as hooks G, secured to the shelves and adapted to enter the apertures in the columns, thereby securing the shelves thereto. The hooks G may be of any desired form; but that constructed in the drawings has been found convenient, according to which the hooks are stamped or punched from the same piece of metal of which the sides ofthe shelf are composed and in this instance bent outwardly and provided with notches K.

As shown, the shelves 0 are of such width that they may enter between the columns D and bear against the back of the frame, and it will be seen that the width of the projecting portion H of a column is less than half the width of a shelf, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the points of support for the hooks G are at the face of the columns, so that the shelves obtain a purchase against the back B of the frame and are securely maintained in place.

The outer columns D need be provided with but one row each of apertures F, while the intermediate columns are provided with two rows of apertures for the accommodation of the hooks on the shelves.

Each shelf comprises, according to my invention, a sheet of metal J, having rolled edges L and sides 0 of any suitable form secured to the ends of said sheet of metal J.

If desired for strengthening purposes, rods Q may be inserted within the rolled edges L and secured to the sides O. 6:

Obviously some features of my invention may be used without others, and my invention may be embodied in different forms.

Therefore, without limiting myself to the construction shown and described, I claim, 5 and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In a sheet-metal structure for shelves, book-racks and the like, the combination of vertical back and vertical columns projectin; therefrom and connected thereto, said columns being provided with apertures in their front faces, and shelves having upwardly-extending sides, adapted to fit between said columns and abut at their rear edge against said back, and hooks offset from the sides of the shelves and adapted to enter the said apertures in the columns, substantially as set forth.

2. In a sheet-metal structure for shelves, book-racks and the like, the combination of a frame or supporting structure comprising a vertical back and vertical columns projecting therefrom and connected thereto, said columns being provided with apertures in PETER M. WEGE.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH SMITH, H. E. WHITE. 

